Type-writing machine.



PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

B.G.LATTA. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1903.

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\ PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. E. G. LATTA.

' TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLIOA'I'IOI FILED APR. 1. 1903.

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PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

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B. G. LATTA.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

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UNITED STATES Patented. May a, 1904. t

PATENT O FICE.

EMMIT Gr. LAT'IA, OF FRIENDSHIP, YORK.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 58,982, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed April 2, 1903. Serial No. 150,720. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEMMIT G. LATTA.a citizen of the United States, residing at Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented new and, useful Improvements in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to type-writing machines, and more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the printing mechanism, including the type-bars and their actuating means, in a front-strike or visible-writing type-writer.

One object of the invention is toproduce a printing mechanism for typewriting .machines of light compact build so arranged that acomplete keyboardthat is, a keyboard having a separate key for each character-wan be used in a front-strike machine.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange and construct the parts of the actuating mechanism for the type-bars that the actuating force imparted to each key is transmitted in a direct line from that part of the keyboard at which the key is located to the type-bar connected to the key. I

Another object of the invention is to so form most of the parts of the mechanism that they can be made of sheet metal, whereby a desirable, light, and inexpensive machine is produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light-running and desirable printing mechanism for type-writing machines.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional elevation through the printing mechanism, keyboard, and frame ofa frontstrike type-writing machine embodying the invention inline 1 1, Fig. 8.. Fig. 2is avertical sectional elevation through the keyboard in line 2 2, Fig. 8, showing a row of keys, their actuating-levers, and connecting-bars as they are arranged at one side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation showing one of the keys and its supporting-bracket.

Fig. 4: is a plan view of one of the connecting- I rods. Figs.- 5 and 6 are transverse sections end of the type-bar segment.

scale, in lines 5 5, 6 6, Fig. 4., respectively. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of oneof the bellcrank levers for one of the side keys. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the frame of the machine, showing a portion of the key-brackets at one side of the keyboard in section, said view indicating by straight lines therelative arrangement or position of the rods connecting the operating-keys with the type-bars. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical sectional elevation in line 9 9, Fig. 1, looking from the rear of the machine. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section through one end of the type-bar segment. Fig. 11 isan elevation of one of the typebars. Fig. 12 is afragmentary plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the type end of the blank from which the type-bar is made. Fig. 13 is a section in line 1313, Fig. 12. Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are sectional views, on an enlarged scale, showing the successive steps of the operation of folding the'end of the type-bar blank to increase the thickness of the typebearing. bearing-brackets of the typebar segment. Fig. 18 is an elevation of one of the spacingblocks for the bearing brackets. Fig. 19 is an elevation of one of the holding-arms for the supporting-barof the type-bar segment. Fig. 20 is a fragmentary section through one Fig. 21 is a detail sectional elevation showing a key-supporting bracket of modified construction.-

Fig. 22 is a horizontal section through' the body of the supporting-bracket shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation of another form of key-supporting bracket- Fig. '24 is Fig. 17 is an elevation of one of the a plan view of the bracket shown in Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a detail section through the type end of a type-bar of modified construction.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the supporting-frame of the machine, which is preferably of substantially rectangular shape, having an uprightrea'r wall a and upright side walls a, the upper rear I portions of which project inwardly toward each other to constitute supports for the typebar segment, as will be hereinafter described. At the front portion of the frame the side with' a single character. secured to the type-bar in any suitable manwalls are connected by a transverse stepped plate B, which constitutes the base for the keyboard.

C represents the platen or cylinder. The supporting-carriage for the platen and the mechanism for rotating the platen and operating the carriage constitute no part of the present invention and are omitted from the drawings for the sake of elearness.

D D represent the type-bars, which are arranged side by side and are respectively pivoted on pivot wires or rods E E, which constitute parts of the type-bar segments and which'ar'e arranged below the platen and are curyed concentric with the printing-point. Thepivot-wires are secured to the inwardlyprojecting portions of the side walls of the framein any suitable manner. For instance, the fe'nds of the wires are threaded and project through holesin the side walls, to which they'ar'eheld by nuts 6. Each type-bar carries at its forward end a typed, provided The type may be nor, but preferably the sheet metal blank from which the type-bar is made has a wide end d, provided with holes (Z as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, which is folded or bent, as indicated in Figs. 14 to 16, to increase the thickness of the type end of the bar to four times the thickness of the original blank. The alined holes d are then reamed and the shank of the type fastened in the resulting hole in the usual or any suitable manner. Instead of the described manner of folding to increase the thickness of the end of the type-bar the extreme side portions may be first folded inward toward each other and then the end doubled over centrally, so that the side portions are turned 'in and bear against each other, as shown in Fig. 25. The pivot-wire E of the alternate type-bars D is located in front of the other pivot-wire E for the remaining typebars D, so that the type at the free ends of the type-bars are arranged in two rows, thereby allowing more space for each type. The type-bars are thin, being preferably made from sheet metal, so that a separate bar for each of the necessary characters can be employed, while all of the bars can be pivoted side by side on a comparatively short seg ment. The pivot or hub ends 'of all of the type-bar's are enlarged or widened, as shown pivot-holes through which their pivot-wire E passes and slots (F in front of and concentric with said holes and through which the pivot-wire E passes.

The type-bar segment is constructed as fol- 5. lows, (see Figs. 1, l0, l7, and 18:)

Frepresents a curved or segmental supporting-bar,which is angular or polygonal in crosssection and is secured at its opposite ends to the inwardly-projecting upper portions of the side walls of the frame by nutsf', similar to the manner of attaching the pivot-wires or in any other suitable manner giving a rigid attachment and which will admit of the ready detachment of the supporting-bar for correcting the alinement of the type or replacing broken or worn parts.

Gr represents bearing brackets or pieces, which are threaded or placed side by side on the supporting-bar of the segment, the holes in the brackets through which the bar passes being shaped correspondingly to the supporting-bar, so that the brackets are held from turning or swinging on the supporting bar. The brackets project forwardly, and each is provided in its forward end with two holes g g, through which the two pivot-wires for the type-bars pass. The brackets thus connect the relatively small pivotwires to the supporting bar and brace the same against any deflection under the action of the type-bars. A type-bar is arranged between each two brackets G, which thus serve to properly space the type-bars, while their side faces constitute bearing-faces against which the opposite fiat faces of the pivot ends of the type-bars hear. The front ends of the bearing-brackets occupy planes radial to the segment and are thinner at their inner than at their outer portions that is, they taper inwardly, (see Fig. 20,) so that the spaces for the type-bars between the brackets have parallel side walls, which hold the type bars from lateral movement or deflection in swinging on their pivots, so as to insure the type always contacting with the platen at the proper printingmint In order to properly space the bearing-ln'ackets on the supporting segment-bar, the rear ends of the bracket may be thickened, or, preferably, spacing-blocks or washers H are threaded in the supporting bar between the bearingbrackets. The spacing-blocks or washers are very slightly thicker than the pivot ends of the type-bars and when clamped. tightly together on the supporting-bar leave just space enough between the brackets for the type-bars to swing freely between the bearing-brackets without binding. One or more of the spacingblocks, preferably two, (indicated at H, Figs. 9 and 19,) are provided with rearwardly-projecting arms it, which are secured to brackets it, projecting forwardly from the rear wall of the frame. These spacing-blocks Il serve to effectually hold the supporting-bar of the segment from twisting or turning in its bearings and also insure the proper curvature of the type-bar segment. Any other means may be employed for effecting this result.

[L2 represents the usual curved rest arranged beneath the front or type ends of the type-bars to support the free ends thereof when at rest.

The described construction and arrangement of the segment and type-bars possess several features of ad vantage and desirability. The parts, with the exception of the supporting-bar and pivot-wires, are made from sheetmetal stampings, thus reducing the cost and enabling a close compact build. Only the fastening device at the opposite ends of the segment are necessary. The sides of the bearing-brackets can be finished more perfectly than in the case of slots in a machined segment. Any broken or worn part can be readily replaced at a nominal expense. The bearingbrackets being made separate have plain round holes for the pivot-wires, thus leaving unbroken smooth bearing-faces for type-bars, a result impossible to be obtained in a curved segment machined from the solid.

1 represents the type-bar-opera'ting keys, which are preferably arranged in straight banks or rows running both transversely and longitudinally of the keyboard, there being one transverse row of keys on each of the steps of the base-plate B and one key for each type-bar. The keys are mounted to reciprocate vertically on supporting and guide brackets J, secured to the base-plate B, and are provided with upright stems connected at their lower ends to bell-crank levers, which are pivoted on the depending portions of the brackets J and are connected by rods to .the type-bars actuated by the respective keys. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, each of the supportingbrackets for the keys has separated depending legs j, which are connected at their upper ends by a tubular body portion 1'', which" projects upwardly through a slot ,7' in the base-plate B, to which. it is clamped by a nut f screwed on the threaded tubular body.

The slots in the base-plate for the brackets havestraight opposite sides, and the tubular bodies of the brackets are correspondingly flattened at opposite sides to hold them from turning in their slots. The latter are somewhat elongated longitudinally of the machine to permit the brackets to be adjusted forwardly or backwardly on the base-plate. The brackets are held rigidly in place by screwing down the nuts 1' thereby clamping the base-plate between nuts and shoulders at the upper ends of the legs of the bracket-s. The holding nuts, which are preferably bellshaped, as shown, constitute upward continuations of the brackets and form guides for the stems of the vertically-moving keys. The nuts j are preferably provided with'notches in which a suitable wrench may be engaged forturning them to clamp the brackets on the base-plate. The brackets and nuts are preferably made from sheet metal stamped or formed into the shape shown. The legs of the brackets J for the majority of the keys located in the main body portion of the keyboard are offset or deflected forwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, and the legs of the brackthe brackets in the two longitudinal rows at each side of the keyboard are preferably turned, so that their legs project rearwardly,

as shown in Fig. 2. From Fig. 8 it will be seen that the segment is narrower than the keyboard, and in order to cause the bell-crank levers and connecting-rods or keys in the two longitudinal rows at each side of the keyboard to pull in direct lines from the type-bars to which they are connected the slots in the baseplate B for the brackets J incline, so that the legs of the brackets incline inwardly. The slots for the brackets of the central longitudinal row of keys are alternately inclined in opposite directions, so that the bell-crank lever for one key of the row willswing to one side of and will not strike the connecting-rod attached to the key next in front thereof.

K represents the bell-crank levers for the keys .of the main body of the keyboard, and

K the bell-crank levers for the keys in the connecting-rod. The other bell-crank levers K are reversed, and each has a forwardly-proj ecting arm pivoted to its key and an upwardlyprojecting arm pivoted to its connecting-rod. By this arrangement of the bell-crank levers the end of each lever connected to its con-' necting-rod is located substantially at the same elevation as the pivotend of the type-bar to which it is connected, and the pull ofeach of the connecting-rods is nearly horizontal.

Each of the bell crank levers K is preferably formed from a single piece of sheet metal, which is doubled to increase the thickness and strength of the lever, and each lever has at the rear portion of its depending arm a transverse portion is, which connects the twoparallel portions of the foldedlever. The connecting portion lt Of each lever in a longitudinal row is in rear of the upper arm of the lever or lower end of the key-stem next in front thereof and will strike said upper arm or key-stem in case two adjacent levers in a longitudinal row are depressed simultaneously and prevent both levers from being actuated, thus making it impossible to interlock two type-bars connected to adjacent keys in the same longitudinal row. If the force applied to the key for one lever predominates over the force on the other key, the first lever will return the other lever to its normal position and will continue its own movement to cause its type-bar to make the impression. Adjacent keys in the longitudinal rows are connected to adjacent type-bars, while adjacent keys in the transverse banks are connected .to type-bars separated by a number of type-bars equal to the number of keys in a longitudinal row. There is therefore less likelihood of the interlocking of type-bars connected to adjacent keys in a transverse bank, and,furthermore, the keys in the transverse banks are spaced farther apart than the keys in the longitudinal rows. As each bell-crank lever K for the side rows of keys swings beside the adjacent lever of the same row, owing to the inclination of the brackets J, these levers K are provided with lateral arms K which effect the purpose of the connecting parts is of the other levers. The connecting-rods L, joining the type-bars to their actuating bell-crank levers, are preferably made from sheet metal in the form shown in Figs. L to 6. The blank from which the connecting-rod is made is folded or doubled, and for the greater part of its length the two thicknesses of the red are pressed together, while at the front end the parts are separated to provide pivot-lugs Z, and at Z the parts are separated to receive between them an ear Z on the pivot end of the type-bar. The connecting-bars are permanently riveted to the typebars and bell-crank levers and the latter permanently riveted to their brackets and keystems before assembling in the machine. In assembling the type-bars they are placed on their pivot-wires and the brackets inserted in their slots in the base-plate B and loosely secured by their nuts. The brackets are then adjusted in their slots to the exact position and firmly clamped in place by turning down the holding-nuts. Owing to the adjustability of the brackets, connecting-rods which are adjustable in length are not necessary and the thin single-piece rods described can be employed, which is an advantage because of the large number and necessarily close arrangement of the connecting-rods. The ordinary connecting-rods provided with ad justing-turnbuckles could not be employed. The keys are applied to their stems after the brackets are secured to the base-plate. The keys may be secured to the stems in any suitable manner. As shown in Fig. 1, each key is provided with a tubular shank 2', which telescopes over the upper end of the stem and is held from detachment therefrom by inbent lugs on the end of the shank which spring into a reduced portion 'of the stem.

'6 represents a coil-spring located in each key-shank and bearing against the upper end of the stem. These springs permit the keys to yield somewhat on their stems and serve to cushion or relieve the shock on the operators fingers.

M, Fig. 1, represents the universal bar for operating the carriage-escapement, which latter is not shown, as it is not necessary to an understanding of the invention. The universal bar is curved similarly to the type-bar segment and is located in rear thereof.

m represents arms fixed to the end portions of the universal bar and projecting rearwardly therefrom and pivoted to the lower ends of the legs of the two U-shaped bails m m, pivoted at the upper ends of their legs on brackets m on the machine-frame. The universal bar is provided at its front edge with a hooked flange m", and each of the connecting-rods L is provided. at its rear end with a hook m, which when the rod is drawn forwardly engages the hooked flange of the universal bar and swings the'latter and its supporting-bails forwardly. The described manner of mounting the universal bar insures a parallel movement of the same regardless of the point at which it is engaged by a connecting-rod to operate it. The universal bar is normally held rearwardly by a spring at, connected to the bar and to the rear wall of the frame.

N represents springs, one connected to the rear end of each connecting-rod and to the rear wall of themachine-frame by adjusting-screws a. The springs N for adjacent connectingrods are arranged in different vertical planes to give each spring the necessary space.

In Fig. 21 a key-supporting bracket of slightly-different construction from that previously described is shown. In this case the tubular body portion 0 of the bracket extends upwardly through the base-plate of the keyboard sufliciently far to serve as a guide for the key-stem, and the bracket is held in place by an ordinary hexagonal nut O, secured to the threaded tubular portion of the bracket. The nut O and the bell-shaped nut f both serve to cover the slots in the baseplate of the keyboard to prevent dust from falling through the slots on the type-bar-opcrating mechanism below the base-plate.

The key-supporting bracket P (shown in Fig. 23) is formed of sheet metal and has at its upper and lower portions laterally-projecting parts 1) 1), provided with holes in which the key-stem works and is guided. The upper lateral part 1) is provided with a slot through which and a hole in a bridge-piece 19 secured to the frame, passes a securing bolt or screw 7). The slot for the securingbolt is sufiiciently long to permit the bracket to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly on the bridge-piece.

f is a coil-spring surrounding the key-stem between the lateral part 71 of the bracket and a shoulder on the key-stem. When the key is depressed, the spring is compressed and acts to return the key and type-bar to their normal position. \Vith this construction the springs connected to the rear ends of the connecting-rods are not required.

I claim as my invention 1. In a front-strike type-writing machine, the combination of a vertically-arranged segment, a series of type-bars pivoted on said segment, finger-keys, a series of pivoted bellcrank levers arranged in front of the segment with the levers at the sides of the keyboard higher than those at its middle portion, one arm of each lever being connected to one of said keys, and substantially horizontal rods connecting the other arm of each bell-crank lever with one of said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

2; In a front-strike type-writing machine,

7 the combination of a vertically-arranged segconnecting one arm of each bell-crank lever with one of said type-bars, substantially a set forth.

3. In a front-striketype-writing machine, the combination of a frame, a series of brackets depending from said frame, a series of bellcrank levers pivoted on said brackets, a series of vertically-reciprocating keys each guided by one of said brackets and connected to one end of the lever pivoted on said bracket, a series of pivoted type-bars, and a series of onepiece connecting-rods extending in direct lines from the bell-crank levers to the pivoted typebars, substantially as set forth.

4. In a front-strike type-writing machine, the combination of a vertically-arranged segment, a series of vibrating type-bars supported on said segment, a series of pendent brackets, bell-crank levers pivoted to said brackets, keys mounted on said brackets and provided with stems pivoted to said levers, and a flat one-piece rod connecting each lever and its type-bar, substantially as set forth.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of pivoted type-bars, a series of separate pendent brackets arranged in banks at different elevations, a bell-crank lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on each bracket, keys provided with stems pivoted to said bellcrank levers, and connecting-rods pivoted to said bell-crank levers and 'to said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

6. In a type-writing machine, the combina tion of a series of pivoted type-bars, a series of pendent brackets arranged in banks at different elevations, the brackets in different banks being of different lengths, bell-crank levers pivoted intermediate of their ends .to said brackets, keys provided with stems pivoted to said bell-crank levers, and connecting.

pivoted to the other arms of said bell-crank levers and to said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of pivoted type-bars, a keyboard, a pendent bracket for each key of the keyboard, the brackets at the central portion of the keyboard having their lower ends offset forwardly, a bell-crank lever pivoted intermediate of its ends to each of said brackets and having one arm pivoted to the stem of the adjacent key, and connecting-rods pivotedto said bell-crank levers and to said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of pivoted type-bars, a keyboard having akey for each of said type-bars, a pendent bracket for each of said keys, the lower ends of the brackets at the sides of the keyboard being offset rearwardly, a bell-crank lever pivoted intermediate of its ends to each of said brackets and having one arm connected tothe adjacent key, and a rod connecting the other arm of each bell-crank lever and one of said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of pivoted type-bars, a series of separate pendent brackets, a key movably mounted on each of said brackets, a bell-crank lever pivoted intermediate of its ends on each of said brackets and having one arm connected to the adjacent key, and means connecting said bell-crank levers and said type-bars, subsaid brackets, a bell-crank lever pivoted intermediate of its ends to the lower portion of each'of said brackets and'having one arm-connected to the adjacent key, and connections between the other arms of said bell-crank leversand said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a frame, a pivoted type-bar, a bracket adjustably secured to said frame, a key mounted on said bracket, a bell-crank lever pivoted type-bars, the levers at'the sides of the keyboard being arranged to swing their connecting-rods upwardly and forwardly, and the levers at the central portionof the keyboard being arranged to swing'their connectingrods downwardly and forwardly, substantially as set forth.

14. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame, pivoted type-bars, vertically-movable keys and horizontally-movable connecting-rods, of brackets detachably secured to said frame and each supporting one of said keys, and bell-crank levers pivoted to said brackets and connecting said keys and connecting-rods, substantially as set forth.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination with pivoted type bars, verticallymovable keys, and horizontally-movable connecting-rods, of bell-crank levers connecting said keys and connecting-rods, and adjustable brackets each supporting one of said 'bellcrank levers and keys, substantially as set forth.

16. In a type-writing machine, the combi nation of a type-bar segment, type-bars pivoted on said segment, a keyboard of greater width than said segment, a series of brackets each supporting'one of the keys of the keyboard, a frame supporting said brackets and having slots arranged in line with the pivot ends of the type-bars and in which said brackets are adjustably secured, and connections between the keys and type-bars for operating the latter, substantially as set forth.

17. In a front-strike type-writing machine, the combination of a frame, a pivoted type-bar, a bracket secured to said frame and provided with parts arranged above and below that part of the frame to which it is secured, a key guided by the upper part of said bracket, a pivoted type-bar, and means supported by the lower part of said bracket for connecting said key to said type-bars, substantially as set forth.

18. In a type-writing machine, a type-bar formed of a sheet-metal blank having a body portion of the width desired to form the bar, and having an end portion of greater Width than the body portion, the said end portion being folded upon itself to form a socket of greater length than the thickness of the bar, substantially as set forth.

19. In a type-writing machine, the combination of two parallel pivot-wires, a series of type-bars each having a hole through which one of said wires passes, and a closed curved slot through which the other of said wires passes, substantially as set forth.

20. In a type-writing machine, the combination ofa pair of parallel pivot-wires, a series of type-bars provided with widened flat pivot ends and each havinga hole, and a curved slot entirely within said pivot end of the type-barfor the passage of said pivot-wires, substantially as set forth.

21. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a pair of parallel pivot-wires, and a series of type-bars having pivot ends entirely surrounding both of said pivot-wires, said type-bars having openings and slots for the passage of said pivot-wires, substantially as set forth.

22. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar segment provided with separate bearing-brackets secured side by side in a curve, type-bars arranged alternately in two rows,and two pivot-wires passin th rough closed openings in said type-bars and bearingbrackets, substantially as set forth.

23. In a front-strike type-writingmachine, the combination of a frame, a type-bar segment, type-bars pivoted on said segment, a curved universal bar arranged adjacent to said segment, two pairs of upright parallel swinging arms pivotally connected to the central part of said universal bar and to said frame above the central part of the universal bar, and means for operating said type-bars and universal bar, substantially as set forth.

24. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar segment, type-bars pivoted on said segment, a curved universal bar arranged adjacent to said type-bar segment, two substantially U shaped bails pivotally supported, arms secured to said curved universal bar and pivoted to said bails, and means for operating said type-bars and universal bar, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 26th day of March, 1903.

Witnesses:

GnAs. J. RICE, E. E. Hrokoox. 

